Orlando Magic V.P. Urges Christians to Unleash 'The Warrior Within'
ORLANDO, Fla. – A top executive for the Orlando Magic pro-basketball team put aside his more than 40 years of professional sports experience on Monday to speak to a hungry Christian audience about the qualities that men need in their life.
Pat Williams, the senior vice president for the Orlando Magic and one of America’s top motivational, inspirational, and humorous speakers, cited the biblical life of Ashar from the book of I Chronicles to express the ideals that men should achieve to be successful. In the story, Ashar and all his descendants were described to have choice qualities that were passed down by the father.
“They had 26,000 without a dud in the bunch. And nobody knows of this guy,” explained the NBA executive at a recent session during the National Religious Broadcasters (NRB) National Convention, the largest recognized event for Christian communications nationally and internationally. “My next thought was, ‘We got to get him known.’”
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According to the writer of I Chronicles, the descendants of Ashar had four characteristics: they were good at fatherhood, they were men of character, they showed courage, and they were outstanding leaders. Williams talks about these qualities as the four crucial dimensions of men in his book, The Warrior Within.
The industry pro then went on to describe the details of these big four.
As a good family figure, men must not only be a strong father but also a caring husband. Williams noted that men need to be “B.E.S.T.” for their wives; they need to “bless” them, to “edify” them, to “share” everything with them, and there needs to be positive non-sexual “touch.”
He noted the work of Dr. Ed Wheat who explained, “Every Christian marriage should be the best marriage ever seen in the whole world.”
Following this, Williams spoke about the importance of fathers in their sons’ lives.
“Your children absolutely need your time and attention,” said the motivational speaker. “They really need you to be involved in their lives.”
Fathers need to set rules for their children, realize that kids need to be readied for when they grow up, and that most importantly, sons and daughters need to receive love.
“We are to demonstrate Christ’s love to our children every minute of the day,” Williams enlightened. “If your children grow up without their dad’s blessing, they will have a hollowness inside.”
The basketball head then went on to talk about character and the key ingredients to what makes a man of character: honesty, integrity, a humble spirit, and working hard.
People of character think about “what else.” “What else” can they bring or offer.
Following that topic, Williams pointed out that Ashar’s descendents were all brave warriors, meaning that they had courage.
“In our daily walk of life, we all get to exhibit courage,” he explained. “Every minute of everyday, we are put in positions of exhibiting courage without the world even seeing it.”
Men need the courage to say ‘no’ when they need to say ‘no’ and ‘yes’ when they need to say ‘yes.’ Williams noted biblical figures who showed amazing courage including Joseph, Noah, Paul, and Jesus.
As a final note, Williams finished by talking about the seven characteristics that make men good leaders.
“The final thing we learn is that they were outstanding leaders: 26,000 outstanding leaders,” exclaimed the vice president. “When I read this, I got really excited.”
“Leaders are good at what they do, and that begs the question, how did they get good?”
According to Williams, leaders must have vision, be able to communicate that vision, have people skills, have character, be competent, and exhibit boldness.
“Now here’s the paradox. There are many six-sided leaders, but a leader who won’t be forgotten as a leader must have the seventh side. A good leader must have a serving heart,” noted the NBA figure. “They are foot washers, like Jesus.”
As an important point, he spoke about how leaders are not born leaders but they are made into them. Men must make an effort to guide people.
“Leaders, step up and lead.”
